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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Pac-Pix
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 41 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 3 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Namco
Developer: Namco
Genre(s): Action
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: April 26, 2005
Summary
One day a mischievous wizard came up with a mysterious invention called “Ghost Ink.” When something is drawn using this ink, it turns into a Ghost. These ghostly tricksters would then jump into pictures and books, to pull pranks and cause havoc around the world. Our hero, Pac-Man, has taken his mighty Magic Pen – the only weapon that can defeat these Ghosts, and locked all the Ghosts inside a book. But before he could turn the Ghosts back into the Ghost Ink, he was also captured within the book! You must now take over Pac-Man’s quest to defeat the mischievous Ghosts. Use the stylus to draw Pac-Man, control his movements to eat up all the Ghosts on the screen. Travel from the lower to the upper screen to collect items and accumulate points. Can you bring peace and quiet back to the world with the Magic Pen? [Nintendo]
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: GameSpot Hands-On GameSpy Preview IGN Preview Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Next Level Gaming
This is why I love the Nintendo DS system. You can't do this kind of game on any other system. This type of game is new, refreshing and very innovative!
Read Full Review >Game Chronicles
This is a breath of fresh air that will hopefully inspire others to start creating some original works for this struggling system.
Read Full Review >Gaming Target
Touch-screen usage is top notch, production values are high, and the nostalgia just pours in once you start playing.
Read Full Review >BonusStage
It isn’t the deepest game in existence, nor is it the most complex, but when it comes to taking full advantage of what the DS has to offer, not many games do it better than Pac-Pix.
Read Full Review >Nintendo Power
Probably one of the most innovative gameplay ideas you'll ever see. Pac-Pix will be remembered 10 years from now. [June 2005, p.96]
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
The sheer originality and inventiveness of Pac-Pix inevitably wins through, making this one of the most memorable games you'll ever play. [NGC Pocket]
Read Full Review >IGN
It's a lot of fun, but you have to get through the frustration element of your drawings failing for no other reason than they weren't perfect enough for the software to recognize.
Read Full Review >Modojo
Even though it's not the most challenging time you can have, it's a ton of fun that's guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Read Full Review >Cheat Code Central
It shows the potential of the DS by exploiting its uniqueness, something that these next-gen console and future next-gen consoles will not be able to touch. Literally.
DarkStation
Very few times in the DS short history have we seen games actually use the touch screen to its advantage in the way that this game did.
Read Full Review >Gamers Europe
A great all-round package. Replayable, original, and overall, great fun.
Read Full Review >GameCube Europe
Even after all these years, the loveable yellow circle with the eating disorder still has what it takes to entertain gamers everywhere.
Read Full Review >eToychest
There is enough difficulty, some intentional, some inherent to poor design, that will keep many players engaged until the end, but again, once it is over, Pac-Pix is likely to be shelved in favor of something more fun, and longer lasting - such as pizza.
Read Full Review >GameZone
At times it will get frustrating when you think you have a Pac-Man drawn, and it doesn’t spring to life.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
A satisfying, inventive title for the DS crowd. [June 2005, p.137]
Worth Playing
The first time you see your Pac-Man come to life on the screen, the one that you have drawn, it's impossible not to smile. The rest of the game is challenging enough to keep you busy for a little while, but the fun factor is what will keep you coming back to beat your old high scores.
Read Full Review >1UP
This slowly-increasing sense of challenge is what elevates Pac-Pix above so many of the clever tech demo that comprise the DS library.
Read Full Review >GameBiz
Once all is said and done, there’s next to no replayability factor for Pac-Pix. There’s really no need to go back and challenge a chapter you’ve already completed, and once beating the game, Pac-Pix may indeed grow a nice dust layer on top.
Read Full Review >Nintendo Insider
It is simply too bad that the gesture recognition is so far below acceptable standards, otherwise this game could have nearly reached the mid-8's, score-wise.
Read Full Review >PALGN
Delivers what the DS promised – originality. It’s just a shame there isn’t more to it.
Read Full Review >Pelaaja (Finland)
Pac-Pix is an imaginative experiment which shows that developers are getting to grips with the DS and the machine can offer new kinds of interesting gameplay. [July 2005, p.75]
AceGamez
Pac-Pix is the perfect remedy for the supposed lack of innovative DS games and looks to pave a smooth layer of concrete over Yoshi Touch & Go's rough job for new and unique DS games like Electroplankton, Ace Attorney and Trauma Center to glide right on in.
Read Full Review >NintendoWorldReport
An excellent example of a new form of gameplay unique to the DS. It’s pure fun and puts a smile on the face of anybody playing it. [Import]
Read Full Review >NTSC-uk
It's a beautiful, magical experience, but at the same time it's one of the shortest console games we've ever seen - if you don't love it enough to play it to destruction, chances are it'll be back in the shop in a week. [JPN Import]
Read Full Review >Console Gameworld
On a fundamental level, there is nothing wrong with Pac-Pix. Where it falls apart is just the fact that it doesn’t provide enough substance. It feels like exactly what it is – a stretched-out tech demo.
Read Full Review >N-Insanity
When it comes down to it, I'd much rather take a short game with a great idea rather than a lengthy one without any innovation.
Read Full Review >AltGaming
It’s the sort of game you’d find yourself playing while on hold during a telephone call, or waiting for your computer to load - just like how you’d probably find yourself doodling if there was paper and a pen next to you instead of your DS.
Read Full Review >Sydney Morning Herald
More variety in the dozen multi-levelled chapters would have been welcome.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
You'll probably dig on the game's unique concept, but when it comes to playing Pac-Pix, that concept gets old real fast.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
A genuinely fun game that makes clever use of the DS's touch screen. [June 2005, p.107]
Gaming Age
If you are looking for a good DS title to fit the bill until the next big thing hits store shelves, then Pac-Pix isn’t the worst decision you could make, providing you know what you are buying in the first place.
Read Full Review >Play Magazine
A challenging drawing/action/puzzle game that delivers a unique take on a venerable classic. [May 2005, p.72]
GamerFeed
The game really doesn't have that much to offer, but it does have twelve different levels in which you draw out your own conclusions, and they get more fun with each level.
Read Full Review >Eurogamer
Pac-Pix was always going to struggle to be more than a cute little concept game that showed off how cool the touch-screen idea was, and so it has proved. For a few hours it's a really entertaining diversion that's unlike anything we've seen before.
Read Full Review >G4 TV
Fun while it lasts, but like the title character’s insatiable appetite, you will be hungry for more. It needs more levels, more objects to draw, and a few alternate play modes to make this game worth penciling in for most puzzle game fans.
Read Full Review >games(TM)
A great concept that’s bereft of longevity... It’s definitely a title that needs to be experienced, but whether it should sit proudly on your gaming shelf is less certain. [July 2005, p.113]
3DAvenue
The worst strike against Pac-Pix is that the charm and shine wears off very quickly indeed.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
Much like "Yoshi Touch & Go," the Pac-Pix's cool tech demo roots are supported by a frighteningly flimsy frame, resulting in just another misuse of Pac-Power.
Read Full Review >Nintendophiles
It's too frustrating for an eleven year old and too mindless for anyone older, so it's hard to tell exactly who this game is for or even why it was made in the first place.
Read Full Review >RewiredMind
What can't be overlooked though, is the fact that the game started out as a technical demo to show off what the DS can do. Since then, little has been done to turn it into a fully fledged game.
Read Full Review >netjak
You could plunk your money down for worse titles from Nanco, but that honestly isn't saying much this year. When someone figures out how to put together an actual game with depth, challenge, and uses the touch screen as more than a gimmick, get back to me.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 7.0 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Citrusponge S gave it a6:
Fun for a while, and makes great use of the DS too. Deep as a puddle though, the game won't last long and only extremely competetive persons will bother replaying for high scores. Pretty catchy music, and lovely doodle/paint style graphics. Worth playing, not really worth the full price.
Roland L. gave it a9:
This one is for the puzzle/tetris fans only. I spend hours in the challenge mode. Not for everybody though.
Caith S. gave it a6:
Funny but repetitive.
